Combined snap-latch and hinge for receptacle covers



Sept. 28, 1954 COMBINED Filed June 25, 1950 J. J. PIRZ 2,689,970

SNAP-LATCH AND HINGE FOR RECEPTACLE COVERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOSEPH J. Pmz

Sept. 28, 1954 J! PlRZ 2,689,970

COMBINED SNAP-LATCH AND HINGE FOR RECEPTACLE COVERS Filed June 25, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR- JOSEPH J PIRZ BY E Patented Sept. 28, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIWBINED SNAP-LATCH AND HINGE FOR RECEPTACLE COVERS 6 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in covered receptacles, such, for example, as garbage cans; and, more particularly;

the aim is to provide a novel and valuable combination of a receptacle, its cover, and a holder for the cover constituting a device for pivotally mounting the cover on the recepticle and inclusive of a means operating in such manner that when the cover is swung to closed position, and also when it is swung from closed position to any one of a plurality of other positions, it is yieldingly yet securely held to maintain that one of these positions to which it was last previously swung.

One of the objects of the invention, further, is to provide a device as above which .is simple yet rugged and durable in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and highly efficient in operation.

As the invention is preferably carried out, the arrangement is such that there are four positions in any one of which the cover is retained as above after being swung to any of said four positions from any other position; these four positions being the closed position of the cover, and three other positions of the cover one of which is 90, another of which is 180 and still another of which is 270 from the closed position of the cover.

A feature of the invention is that when the cover is swung to any of said positions, it is held in that position by a snap-latch means readily releasable incidental to a deliberately exerted manual pull on or thrust against the cover; this means preferably including a single cam element having a plurality of working flats, and further preferably including a resilient means of compound type.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a .material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 elevationally shows a garbage can and its cover, equipped with an approved embodiment of cover holder according to the invention; the cover being shown in closed position.

Fig. 2 is in full lines an enlarged view of the holder looking at the same in the direction of the arrow 2 of Fig. 1; the receptacle and the cover being fragmentarily indicated in dot and dash.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the holder; per se Fig. 4 is a top perspective view, of that part of the holder constituting a bracket for attachment to the cover.

Fig. 5 is a similar view, of that part of the holder constituting a bracket for attachment to the receptacle.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3, with both the cover and the receptacle being fragmentarily indicated in dot and dash.

Fig. 7 is a view like Fig. 6, but with now the cover swung to an open position 90 from its closed position.

Fig. 8 is also a view like Fig. 6, but with .now the cover swung to an open position 180 from its closed position.

Fig. 9, too, is a view like Fig. 6, but with now the cover swung to an open position 270 from its closed position.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, the receptacle designated l0 may be taken to represent a garbage can of standard construction provided with the familiar removable cover .ll having a dependent annular flange for encircling the outer rim of the can at its open top when such top is closed by placement of the cover thereon as in Fig. 1.

The new cover holder as herein illustrated includes a bracket l2 secured to the receptacle I0, and a U-shaped bracket I4 secured to the cover ll; these brackets being pivotally interconnected as will later be explained.

The bracket 14 comprises, it will be noted, from Fig. 4 especially, a pair of longitudinally arched end portions l5 each having a pair of rivet holes l6, and a central U-shaped portion l1 within and centrally of which is integrally formed or suitably fixed, as by welding, a substantially square tongue l8 having a central aperture 19. The side arms of the U-shaped portion l1 have apertures I! aligned with the apertures I9. This tongue, as will be hereinafter explained, provides, together with the intermediate arm U-shaped portion ll, the aforesaid single cam element having a plurality of working flats.

The bracket l2 comprises, it will be noted, from Fig. 5 especially, a vertically elongate laterally arched central portion 20 having a pair of rivet holes 21, and a pair of parallelly offset end wings 22 having apertures 23 alignable with the apertures [7 whereby, and by the use of a pivot pin 24 passing through the aligned apertures 23, I! and I9, the two brackets are pivotally interconnected with the axis of such pivoting substantially at the center of the tongue [8.

Thus, when rivets such as the rivet I S (Fig. l) are employed relative to the rivet holes l6 and also relative to matching rivet holes in the annularly dependent flange or skirt of the cover H, and rivets such as the rivets 2| (Fig. 6) are employed relative to the rivet holes 2| and also relative to matching rivet holes in the side wall of the receptacle it near its open top, the cover H is pivotally mounted on the receptacle It) for swing of said cover about an axis located sub stantially at the center of the tongue i3.

With the cover I i in closed position, as in Figs. 1 and 6, clearance for said flange or skirt of the cover H is provided. for at notchings 25 (Figs. 5 and 6) at the upper inner end portions of the end wings 22 of the bracket l2 on the receptacle i0.

Referring now to the aforesaid resilient means of compound type, for coaction with the cam element including the tongue l8, said wings 22 of said bracket 52 have apertures 25 in which are mounted a cross-pin 21 to which is connected the lower end of an arm 28.

Said arm 28 is formed of a strip of spring steel or other suitably resilient material, and is formed to incorporate a curl 2% at its lower end for se curing the arm 28 to the pin '27 with enough slight looseness relative to the latter to permit rotational movement of the arm about said pin as a center.

Said arm 28 is further formed so as intermediate its ends to include a reentrant bend between which and said curl 29 is an ascending subdivision of the said arm engaged by one end of an expansible coil spring 38 the other end of which engages the central portion it of the bracket !2. The descending subdivision of the arm 28 beyond said bend, which depending subdivision is designated 3|, constitutes a plate-like element, and one in the nature of a leaf spring, for coaction with the said cam element including the tongue I8.

Thus, since said ascending subdivision of the arm 28 also may have some leaf spring action, this part of said arm, together with the arms subdivision 3! as the main leaf spring element present, and further together with the coil spring provide a resilient means of compound type, for insuring optimum behavior of the snap-latch feature of the invention; which snap-latch fea ture comprises, as already stated, a cam element having a plurality of working flats, and a resilient means preferably of compound type.

The opposite ends of the spring 36 ma in any suitable way be held against shift relative to the parts against which said spring ends bear; for instance, the end of the spring 38 at the central portion 2c of the bracket it may be there held by engagement with the upper rivet 2i in Fig. 6, and the opposite end of said spring may be formed to extend in prolongation of the spring axis for being caught in an aperture through the subdivision 3! of the arm 28.

With the cover H in closed position, the subdivision 31 of the arm 28 bears latchingly against the flat side 32 of the tongue 98, as shown in Fig. 6. With the cover displaced 90 from its closed position, said side 32 of the tongue It has snapped past the arm 28 to become disposed as shown in Fig. '7, with now said arms subdivision 3! lead latchingly against another flat side of the tongue I 8. With the cover displaced 180 from its closed position, said side 32 of the tongue 18 has advanced to the location shown in Fig. 8, with now the subdivision ii of the arm laid latchingly parallel with still another side of the tongue is and directly against the intermediate arm of the U-shaped central portion of the bracket Hi. With the cover disp 276 from its closed position, said si, 32 of t tongue is has advanced to the location shot i in Fig. 9, with now the subdivision 38 of the ar 28 laid latchingly against yet another fiat of the tongue It.

In connection with the relative dispositions of the parts as shown in Fig. 9, it is to be noted best from Figs. 2 and 3, that with the L shan central portion i! of the bracket id of i than the spacing between the end wing. of the bracket 12 and hence with said po ll fitted within the space between said ,s, the arm 28 is of a width sufficiently less than th= t of the internal width of said portion ii, that when said arm is centered as shown in said Figs. 2 and 3 relative to the length of the pivot pin 27, the presence of the arm 23 does not interfere with full swing down of the bracket if? as shown in Fig. 9. This centering or the 28 relative to the pin 2? may be very siri l and inexpensively effected by forming the win 22 of the bracket i2 so that surroundingly the apertures 26 through said wings neck formations such as indicated at 33 (Figs. 2 and 3) are provided.

While I have illustrated and described the pre ferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. Means for pivotally supporting a can cover having a depending szirt wall for pivotal movement relative to the top of a receptacle ich the cover closes, comprising a Ushaped bracket having a central portion for attachment to the receptacle below the skirt wall of the cover and. spaced wings extended outward from said centrol portion, a bracket for attachment to the skirt wall of the cover above said U-shaped bracket and having. a U-shaped portion extended outward therefrom, and positioned between the adjacent faces of said spaced wings, said U-shaped portion having an extended intermediate arm at the outer end thereof and between the outer ends of the wings when the cover is in position closing the top of the receptacle, a rectangular tongue extended inward from the intermediate arm of said U-shaped portion having a fiat vertical inner surface, means pivotally mounting said. U-shaped portion on wings to turn on a horizontal axis extended through the center of said tongue, and resilient means on said U-shaped bracket and bear' against said flat vertical inner surface of s. tongue for holding'said second bracket in a pivoted position in which the cover closes the top of the receptacle, said resilient means comprising a latch arm pivoted at one end between said wings, said latch arm having its other end portion bent into an inverted U-shape to have a vertical plate-like element seated fiat against said-flat vertical surface, and a yieldable element urging said latch arm into a pivoted position in which said plate-like element bears rigidly against said flatvertical surface".

2. Means for pivotally supporting a can cover having a depending skirt wall for pivotal movement relative to the top of a receptacle which the cover closes, comprising a U-shaped bracket having a central portion for attachment to the receptacle below the skirt wall of the cover and spaced wings extended outward from said central portion, a bracket for attachment to the skirt wall of the cover above said :U-shaped bracket and having a U-shaped portion extended outward therefrom and positioned between the. adjacent faces of said spaced wings, rsaid 'u shaped portion having an extended intermediate arm at the outer end thereof and between the .outer ends of the wings when, the cover is in position Tclosing the top :of the receptacle, a rectangular tongue extended inward from the intermediate arm of said U-shaped portion and having a fiat horizontal upper surface, means pivotally mounting said U-shaped portion on said wings to turn on a horizontal axis extended through the center of said tongue, and resilient means on said U-shaped bracket and bearing against said flat horizontal upper surface of said tongue for holding said second bracket in a pivoted position in which the cover is disposed 90 from the top of the receptacle, said resilient means comprising a latch arm pivoted at one end between said wings, said latch arm having its other end portion bent into an inverted U-shape to have a vertical plate-like element seated flat against said flat horizontal upper surface, and a yieldable element urging said latch arm into a pivoted position in which said plate-like element bears rigidly against said flat horizontal upper surface, said yieldable element comprising a coil spring operating between the central portion of said U-shaped bracket and the part of said latch arm opposed to said plate-like element.

3. Means for pivotally supporting a can cover having a depending skirt wall for pivotal movement relative to the top of a receptacle which the cover closes, comprising a U-shaped bracket having a central portion for attachment to the receptacle below the skirt wall of the cover and spaced wings extended outward from said central portion, a bracket for attachment to the skirt wall of the cover above said U-shaped bracket and having a U-shaped portion extended outward therefrom and positioned between the adjacent faces of said spaced wings, said U-shaped portion having an extended intermediate arm at the outer end thereof and between the outer ends of the wings when the cover is in position closing the top of the receptacle, a rectangular tongue extended inward from the intermediate arm of said U-shaped portion and having a flat horizontal lower surface, means pivotally mounting said U-shaped portion on said Wings to turn on a horizontal axis extended through the center of said tongue, and resilient means on said U-shaped bracket and bearing against said flat horizontal lower surface of said tongue for holding said second bracket in a pivoted position in which the cover is disposed 270 from the top of the receptacle, said resilient means comprising a latch arm pivoted at one end between said wings, said latch arm having its other end portion bent into an inverted U-shape to have a vertical plate-like element seated flat against said flat horizontal lower surface, and a yieldable element urging said latch arm into a pivoted position in which said plate-like element bears rigidly against said flat horizontal lower surface, said yieldable element comprising a coil spring operating between the central portion of said U -shaped bracket and the part of said latch arm opposed to said plate-like element, the part of the U-shaped portion of said arm opposed to said plate-like element having a recess into which the adjacent end of said coil spring seats.'

4. Means for pivotally supporting a can cover having a depending skirt wall for pivotal movement relative to the top of a receptacle which the cover closes, comprising a U-shaped bracket having a central portion for attachment to the receptacle below the skirt wall of the cover and spaced wings extended outward from said central portion, a bracket for attachment to the skirt wall of the cover above said U-shaped bracket and having a U-shaped portion extended outward therefrom and positioned between the adjacent faces of said spaced wings, said U-shaped portion having an extended intermediate arm at the outer end thereof and between the outer ends of the wings when the cover is in position closing the top of the receptacle, a rectangular tongue extended inward from the intermediate arm of said U-shaped portion and having a fiat vertical inner surface, means pivotally mounting said U-shaped portion on said wings to turn on a horizontal axis extended through the center of said tongue, and resilient means on said U-shaped bracket and bearing against said flat vertical inner surface of said tongue for holding said second bracket in a pivoted position in which the cover closes the top of the receptacle, said resilient means comprising a latch arm pivoted at one end between said wings, said latch arm having its other end portion bent into an inverted U-shape to have a vertical plate-like element seated flat against said flat vertical surface, and a yieldable element urging said latch arm into a pivoted position in which said plate-like element bears rigidly against said flat vertical surface, said latch arm being formed of resilient material to constitute said plate-like element as a leaf spring.

5. Means for pivotally supporting a can cover having a depending skirt wall for pivotal movement relative to the top of a receptacle which the cover closes, comprising a U-shaped bracket having a central portion for attachment to the receptacle below the skirt wall of the cover and spaced wings extended outward from said central portion, a bracket for attachment to the skirt wall of the cover above said U-shaped bracket and having a U-shaped portion extended outward therefrom and positioned between the adjacent faces of said spaced wings, said U-shaped portion having an extended intermediate arm at the outer end thereof and between the outer ends of the wings when the cover is in position closing the top of the receptacle, a rectangular tongue extended inward from the intermediate arm of said U-shaped portion and having a flat vertical inner surface, means pivotally mounting said U-shaped portion on said wings to turn on a horizontal axis extended through the center of said tongue, and resilient means on said U-shaped bracket and bearing against said flat vertical inner surface of said tongue for holding said second bracket in a pivoted position in which the cover closes the top of the receptacle, said resilient means comprising a latch arm pivoted at one end between said wings, said latch arm having its other end portion bent into an inverted U-shape to have a vertical plate-like element seated flat against said fiat vertical surface, and a yieldable element urging said latch arm into a pivoted position in which said plate-like element bears rigidly against said flat vertical surface, said pivotal mounting of said latch arm comprising a pin extended across said wings downward and inward of the pivotal axis of said U-shaped portion, said latch arm having its one end curled about said pin.

6. Means for pivotally supporting a can cover having a depending skirt wall for pivotal movement relative to the top of a receptacle which the cover closes, comprising a U-shaped bracket having a central portion for attachment to the receptacle below the skirt wall of the cover and spaced wings extended outward from said central portion, a bracket attachment to the skirt wall of the cover above said U-shaped bracket and having a U-shaped portion extended outward therefrom and positioned between the adjacent faces of said spaced wings, said U-shaped portion having an extended intermediate arm at the outer end thereof and between the outer ends of the wings when the cover is in position closing the top of the receptacle, a rectangular tongue extended inward from the intermediate arm of said U-shaped portion and having a flat vertical inner surface, means pivotally mounting said U shaped portion on said wings to turn on a horizontal axis extended through the center of said tongue, and resilient means on said U-shaped bracket and bearing against said fiat vertical inner surface of said tongue holding said sec- 0nd bracket in a pivoted position in which the cover closes the top of the receptacle, said resilient means comprising a latch arm pivoted at one end between said wings, said latch arm having its other end portion bent into an inverted U-shape to have a vertical plate-like element seated flat against said fiat vertical surface, and a yieldable element urging aid latch arm into a pivoted position in which said plate-like element bears rigidly against said fiat vertical surface, said pivotal mounting of said latch arm comprising a pin extended across said wings downward and inward of the pivotal axis of said U-shaped portion, said latch arm having its one end curled about said pin, said latch arm being formed of material of a width slightly less than the space between the arms of the U-shaped portion, and means on said pin holding said arm centered thereon so as not to interfere with pivotal movements of said second bracket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 472,483 Loomis Apr. 5, 1892 1,122,322 Smith Dec. 29, 1914 1,148,334 Piotrowski July 27, 1915 1,651,824 Krentler Dec. 6, 1927 1,815,319 Lawrence July 21, 1931 2,369,480 Mills Feb. 18, 1945 2,404,558 Yellin July 23, 1946 2,465,078 Fitzgerald Mar. 22, 1949 

